Patents by Inventor Robert D. Roberts

Robert D. Roberts has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20080081137
    Abstract: A polymer blend composition having improved physical properties comprises (i) 70% to 95% by weight of a blend of a styrene maleic anhydride (SMA) copolymer, e.g., rubber modified styrene maleic anhydride copolymer and a styrene polymer e.g., polystyrene or high impact polystyrene (HIPS) and (ii) from 30% to 5% by weight of an acrylic copolymer, e.g., a rubber modified styrene methyl methacrylate (SMMA) copolymer which acts as a compatibilizer for the SMA copolymer, which may be a regrind, and the styrene polymer. This polymer blend composition has good impact strength and elongation properties. The weight percent ratio of the SMA copolymer to styrene polymer in component (i) may be 95:5 or 5:95 based on the total weight of component (i). The polymer blend composition may be extruded into sheet and thermoformed into an article, e.g., a container for packaged foods or may be co-extruded to produce a laminated article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: NOVA Chemicals Inc.
    Inventors: John Chi Hee Kwok, Robert D. Roberts
  • Patent number: 6009901
    Abstract: A dry disconnect coupling is provided for connecting one fluid conduit to another to form a continuous, essentially fluid-tight path. The coupling includes an adapter and a coupler which, when coupled together, define a flow passageway therethrough. The adapter includes a hollow, generally cylindrical adapter body, adapter valve means and improved means for releasing the adapter from the coupler. The coupler includes a hollow, generally cylindrical coupler body, coupler valve means, improved connecting means for providing a rigid, fluid-tight connection between the adapter and the coupler, an annular connecting sleeve, sleeve override means, an annular nosepiece, nosepiece override means, improved sealing means for sealing the coupling and a cam assembly for cooperating with the sleeve override means, the nosepiece override means and the coupler valve means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: EMCO Wheaton DTM, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5628344
    Abstract: A dry disconnect coupling connects the transfer hose from a fuel oil storage tank and the fill pipe of a tanker truck to form a continuous flow path between the storage tank and the tanker truck. The coupling includes an adapter, a coupler, and means for returning fuel residue to the flow path or to an external reservoir. The adapter is attached to the fill pipe of the tanker truck on one end and to the coupler on the other end. The free end of the coupler is attached to the transfer hose from the storage tank. The adapter and the coupler each define a flow passageway therethrough which is sealed by a poppet valve having an end face. The fuel returning means includes a reservoir for collecting fuel residue that accumulates on the end faces of the adapter and the coupler during transfer operations. In a preferred embodiment, the returning means includes a venturi vacuum for suctioning the fuel residue out of the reservoir and into the flow passageway defined by the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Emco Wheaton, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5407175
    Abstract: A flow valve for mating with a fluid coupling of the type comprising a cylindrical body and a plurality of circumferentially spaced latches. The flow valve comprises a generally cylindrical valve housing and an annular flange adjacent one end of the valve housing. The flange is mounted to the valve housing such that the flange is rotatable to facilitate repositioning of the flange to distribute wear on the flange caused by the circumferentially spaced latches of the fluid coupling. In a preferred embodiment, the flange is symmetric and the flange and the valve housing each comprise a predetermined pattern of holes for receiving fasteners for mounting the flange to the valve housing. After a period of use, the fasteners can be removed and the flange repositioned, or reversed, to distribute wear to other locations on the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Emco Wheaton, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Roberts, Joseph M. Federowicz
  • Patent number: 4697624
    Abstract: A vapor recovery nozzle is disclosed in which the main body of the nozzle has the vapor passage located above the fluid passage, so that the fluid valve is separated from the top of the nozzle by the vapor passage. Thus the valve may only be removed through the bottom of the nozzle by removing the trigger mechanism and removing the vacuum tripping mechanism which is also connected to the trigger mechanism. Removal of the tripping mechanism is also made easily determinable by the use of a soft aluminum seal over the top opening of the trigger mechanism. The tripping mechanism is responsive to displacement of the vapor recovery shroud to prevent dispensing fuel unless the nozzle is in the fill tank. Other improvements to prior art vapor recovery nozzles include an improved trigger mechanism having a camming surface to engage the stem of the main valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Assignee: Emco Wheaton, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen M. Bower, Eric J. Butterfield, Robert D. Roberts
  • Patent number: 4649970
    Abstract: A vapor valve is useful in a vapor recovery nozzle of the type used to dispense fuel to motor vehicles. In response to the stopping of liquid through the valve, the valve stops the flow of vapor through an adjacent passage. The valve operates using coupled permanent magnet actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: Emco Wheaton, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen M. Bower, Robert D. Roberts
  • Patent number: 4230985
    Abstract: A fixturing system including a product access unit, receiver and support bracket. The product access unit has a top plate upon which the product under test is placed, which top plate is movable so as to carry the product under test into contact with a field of test probes. The product access unit also has a contact panel disposed outboard of the field of test probes, said contact panel containing electrical contact posts wired to the test probes. The contact panel is provided with mating guides and the receiver includes mechanical means for engaging and locking with these guides. The support bracket includes sockets which co-operate with guide pins on the product access unit for aligning it for assembly with the receiver. The product access unit is vacuum-operated and a perimeter gasket on the top plate forms a seal with an inwardly sloping portion of the housing containing the vacuum plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1980
    Assignee: Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Matrone, Robert D. Roberts
  • Patent number: D293462
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Emco Wheaton, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen M. Bower, Eric J. Butterfield, Robert D. Roberts